Customized disposable hand towel and method

ABSTRACT

A disposable hand towel that can be customized for multiple sensory stimulation. That hand towel comprises a short fabric, cloth-like element for individual hand drying, said cloth-like element having at least two distinct color components, a first main component for a substantial body of the cloth-like element and a second accent component for covering only portions of the cloth-like element, each element further including a plurality of raised regions and recesses for providing each element with a three-dimensional feel. A plurality of such cloth-like elements are adjoined end to end on an elongated sheet and wound onto a central having at least one of: a scent dispensing element and a motion detector sound chip.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a perfection of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/632,615, filed on Jan. 27, 2012 and entitled “All colors paper rolltowel throw away, (to match terrie cloth wash cloth, hand towel, bathtowel, bath mats. To look pretty in bath room. And kitchen with dishtowel”, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable hand towel made fromabsorbent paper. More particularly, it relates to a mass produced,disposable hand drying product that can be customized for aesthetics andfor other sensory stimulation, both smell and touch, with optionalaudial stimulation. A method for dispensing such hand towels is alsodisclosed.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent paper products, such as facial tissue and kitchen papertowels, are commonly provided with a variety of aesthetic and functionalfeatures. Facial tissues, for example, come in a variety of colors,scents, styles (e.g., 2-ply, 3-ply, 5-ply with or without lotion, etc.),quantities and packaging styles. They may include floral or othergraphic designs on the individual tissues or packaging therefor. Ingeneral, however, such features are only available in a limited numberof combinations. For instance, a facial tissue carton bearing aparticular floral design might only be available with scents, or tissuesof a particular color, or in a specific quantity. While a wide varietyof aesthetic and functional features exist, a consumer must still choosefrom a relatively limited number of available feature combinations, andselect a particular absorbent paper product whose combination offeatures most closely matches their preferences or needs.

As recognized by this inventor, what is needed is means by whichconsumers can select the color, scent, touch (and possibly sound)features they desire in an absorbent hand towel product that can beeasily and proudly displayed for showing off its color coordinatingcapabilities and then readily dispensed from that display in individualand/or multiple quantities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

To best solve these and other needs, the inventor has designed a handtowel product that can be color customized to match/compliment thenon-disposable hand, body and bath towel drying products in one'skitchen, bathroom or powder room. With this invention, the end consumermay select or specify certain optional features in scent and touch,possibly sound. The consumer may choose from a wide variety of colorsand color combinations, scents, individual sheet/panel sizes, as well asthe texture, printing or other graphic designs on each disposableproduct. In this manner, consumers may purchase custom absorbent paperproducts which depict slogans, company logos, cartoon (including Disneycharacter) themes and/or local school, college and professional sportsteams. Such paper products may be “made to order” at a point of purchaseor ordered for shipping from a common, remote location.

Because of this invention's ability to customize disposable hand towelswith the kitchen/bath towel colors and/or more permanent consumer colorchoices in room tile, cabinets, countertops, etc., it is understood thatone can more easily coordinate their disposable adsorbent paper productselections, known as ColorUP's™ with the rest of a room's givensurroundings and, in doing so stimulate three, maybe even four, of thefive known human senses: sight, smell and touch together with soundadditions thereto.

Using disposable hand towels is significantly more hygienic than using,washing and reusing terrycloth towels. The germs that are dried awayfrom the user's hands are disposed of rather than being submitted forthe same person or others' re-contamination. Yet, this inventionaccomplishes improved cleanliness while keeping key washing areas of ahousehold, the kitchen, bath and powder rooms looking pretty and stayingcolor coordinated to better decorate such rooms with the other thematic,more permanent accent colors and color combinations in one's house. Thisdisposable variety of hand towels hereby retains some attractive,decorative qualities. When made from recyclable paper materials, thereis an even greater “greening” benefit realized.

According to one aspect of the invention, a consumer may customizehis/her roll of absorbent hand towel product by selecting from anexisting color palate (with or without the benefit of knowing onesspecific permanent towel, tile, wallpaper and/or wall paint choices).Then, that same consumer can choose from a variety of pre-madesheet/panel textures to be three-dimensionally imprinted or embossed oneach disposable hand drying sheet, or design and submit their ownpattern for imprinting/imparting onto individual sheet panels. Next, theconsumer can down select from a variety of scents to be custom added tothe central dispensing roll for a given set of hand drying sheets . . .sometimes, selecting natural scents, fruit scents and/or common flowersmells for an individual color preference (such as lemon scented sheetsthat are yellow in tone). Alternately, and especially for bolder kitchenapplications, color and scent choices may be coordinated based onvarious pleasant food smells. For instances, a lighter cocoa-paneledsheet set can be combined with a central roller insert that emits apleasing coffee aroma to its immediate surroundings.

There is also the possibility of morphing together certain combinationsof colors with the hand towels of this invention. Varying “tie dye”combinations of colors may be achieved for display in the consumer'skitchen, bath and/or powder rooms.

A fourth sense stimulation can be added for particular applications ofdisposable roll products having common musical connections.Particularly, when the sheets are colorized to those of one's favoritehigh school, college or professional sports team, the dispensing rollmay be further customized with a motion-sensitive computer chip thatplays one's alma mater or their team's well known fight songs (underappropriate licenses, of course) every time one or more panels arepulled from and torn away at the perforations on the custom colored (andpossibly scented) roll of disposable hand towels.

One particular variety of sound stimulants is holiday-related. With theuse of graphics for a given holiday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas,July 4^(th) and possibly even birthday and anniversary themes,corresponding musical clips for those hand towel rolls may be used inconjunction with those color-coordinated disposable hand towels. Yetanother theme may be to use soothing, mind-relaxing meditation music(waterfalls/rain/casual blowing wind, etc.) . . . along withincense-smelling chip emitters.

Sadly, the fifth sense will remain un-stimulated until it becomespractically feasible to make disposable adsorbent sheet product frommaterials that are also edible. Only then can the sense of ‘taste’ besafely added to the mix.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the particulars that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features, objectives and advantages of this invention will bemade clearer from the following detailed description made with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of three representative roll scent and colorschemes suggested preferred embodiments: a two tone yellow combination,basic blue combination and red/pink combination vertically arrangedside-by-side; and

FIG. 2 is a side-by-side comparison of preferred sheet sizes accordingto one embodiment of this invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The architectural or home decor style of a kitchen, bathroom or powderroom may be based on time periods in which designs and stylesoriginated, as well as geographical region or countries of origin.

The design may be applied to the towel element by printing, embossing orcutting into its fibrous structure. As used herein, “design” shallinclude, without limitation, computer scanned images, drawings,photographs, cartoon character strips, product and/or store logos, teammascots and school initials, single or multi-color (including black andwhite) designs, fabrics, woven in shapes, embossments, deformations,print, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, each towelelement may include a three-dimensional geometric shape. Still anotherembodiment considers the use of braille printing, in a three-dimensionalmode, for imparting greeting or other soothing methods to the visuallychallenged visitor(s).

Consumers want their home or work decor to be visually pleasing and wellcoordinated from a design standpoint. Consumer's natural desire tocoordinate items within a room into one or more common design themesrequires them to learn more about home decor and design principles.However, consumers are very busy with work, children, and activities. Asimple and highly visual presentation of information of these principleswould be helpful. Moreover, the combination of home decor tips,illustrations, and patterns on a consumable product package that can beplaced in room and viewed/analyzed over time provides an added level ofconfidence to the consumer that a change to a new style of decor will beappealing to herself and others who will be using the room on a regularbasis.

Therefore, the present invention may comprise providing decorinformation selected from the group consisting of paint colors,wallpaper patterns, candle scents, wall and/or floor tile information,style group identifying information, and combinations thereof.

Painting information may include sources of paint suppliers for colorpalettes that coordinate with the style group and/or the colors andgraphics on the tissue product packaging, photographs of paint colors orcolor palettes that coordinate with the design or the style group, paintcolor numbers of paint colors that coordinate with the design or stylegroup, etc. Wallpaper information may include sources of wallpapersuppliers, brand and styles numbers of wallpaper that will coordinatewith the designs for each style group, websites (e.g. url) for onlineordering or information, photographs or graphic renditions of wall paperthat coordinate with the design or style group, etc.

FIG. 1 shows three representative color combinations of disposabletowels, each having a lighter color in the same family and a darker ordeeper variant combined therewith. Note that for each set, there may bepatterns embossed into the respective hand towel panels. For instance,the two colored stripes as shown may be raised from OR recessedpartially into the paper surfaces of each panel. Alternately, otherpatterns (flowers, diamonds, etc.) may be substituted therefor or usedto supplement the main towel patterns.

In FIG. 1, there is also a suggested, color-based scent additive per therespective center rolls. For instance, a lemony scent can be emittedfrom the yellow colored towels on the left edge of FIG. 1. In the middlecolumn, blue colored towels are provided with a representative FreshBreeze smell. Finally, the red and pink color combination along theright edge of FIG. 1 can be supplied with the fragrance of apples.

There are numerous alternative combinations as well. For instance, thenatural scents of daisies or fruity banana smells may be used for yellowcolored towels; blue sheets may be supplemented with the smell ofblueberries and red colored towels can be cherry scented or one of manyflower fragrances like roses.

To the extent this invention correlates to school allegiances, thecolors and/or color combinations can be coordinated to reflect the colorschemes of local and/or regional high schools and colleges. It is notunheard of to make a set of disposable hand towels in the rich red andnavy blue colors of McKeesport High School, near Pittsburgh, Pa. and adda raised M from each panel. Alternately, the school's Tiger mascot logomay be added to respective hand towel panels.

Should high school and college “toweling” seem extreme, there is alwaysthe likelihood of going Black and Gold for local professional teams, thePittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and/or Penguins, with team logos addedthereto under the appropriate licenses with Major League Baseball, theNFL and NHL.

For colleges, there is an excellent likelihood of rekindling alumniloyalties by adding a sound chip to the center roll of a towel setbearing the school's colors, with or without mascots. That sound chipshould play a pre-recorded set of notes from the school's fight song,alma mater, or both (in an alternating manner).

In FIG. 2, a preferred size comparison of the present invention is shownversus the standard size roll and towels currently known to consumers.Such towels already on consumer shelves roll from a standardized 11 inchwide roll and typically run a width of 5 inches per panel. The presentinvention is intended to keep that general panel size, by unrolling 12inch wide panels from a 9 inch wide roll (though other size rolls andpanels are also anticipated hereby).

There are an infinite variety of possible geometries, shapes, andarrangements formed in the paper therefrom. Examples of these shapesinclude, but are not limited to those described as a bow-tie pattern orsnowflake pattern. Further examples of these shapes include, but are notlimited to, circles, ovals, diamonds, triangles, hexagons, and variousquadrilaterals.

The absorbent paper product may include, for example, the individualproduct count (e.g., the number of facial tissues contained in a singlepackage, such as six, twelve, one hundred, etc.), the style of theproduct (e.g., two-ply, three-ply and five-ply, with or without lotion,etc.), the color of the product (preferably single colors or colorpairs, groups of colors, multi-colored options including tie-dyedvariations, and limited color with various logos and/or cartooncharacterizations, where applicable), the scent of the product and/orproduct packaging (including an unscented option along with a variety ofscents and aromas), the three-dimensional graphic design of the product(preferably including several predefined textural design options, a notext design option, and a graphic design provided by the consumer). Theconsumer is provided options for numerous and as many product featuresas possible, including those noted above, thereby allowing the consumerto design a potentially unique combination of such features which meetstheir individual tastes or needs.

It may be desirable to pre-produce absorbent paper products with eachpossible combination of features so these products are immediatelyavailable for delivery to a consumer.

As used herein, “graphic design” shall include computer scanned images,drawings, photographs, promotional logos (like the Target store “bull'seye”), words, phrases and any combination thereof, as well as singlecolor graphic designs, multi-color (including black and white) graphicdesigns, and any combination thereof.

Additionally, the product of this invention includes a scent emitter or“fragrancer” insert desired by the consumer. For added sensorystimulation, a sound chip may be added for playing a song, jingle orpre-recorded message each time the central roll is moved with theremoval of one or more disposable towels therefrom.

Furthermore, hand towel products may be chosen by consumers to reflecttheir decor preferences. Such products are placed in locations in thehome of consumers so that they are readily available for use, especiallyby visitors. Since these products are generally sitting out oncountertops or in plain view in bathroom, powder room or kitchen areas,many consumers consider that these products are also decor accessories.As such, these products have the potential to be a focal point of theroom or to add decor interest to the room in which they are displayedand used. Consumers, hence, want the color palette and the designpatterns of their tissue products to match the decor of their home andto reflect their home decor tastes and preferences.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described,various other changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that arewithin the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable hand towel that can be customizedfor multiple sensory stimulation, said hand towel comprising: a shortfabric, cloth-like element for individual hand drying, said cloth-likeelement having at least two distinct color components, a first maincomponent for a substantial body of the cloth-like element and a secondaccent component for covering only portions of the cloth-like element,and a three-dimensional pattern, a plurality of said cloth-like elementsbeing adjoined end to end on an elongated sheet; said elongated sheetbeing intended for winding onto a central roll and continuously ontoitself about said central roll; said central roll having a scentdispensing element inserted into one roll end for emitting a scentanalogous to one of the two distinct color components.
 2. The disposablehand towel of claim 1 wherein said three-dimensional pattern includes aplurality of raised regions, recesses or both.
 3. The disposable handtowel of claim 1 wherein said scent is selected from one associated witha smell found in nature.
 4. The disposable hand towel of claim 3 whereinsaid nature smell is from a fruit or a flower.
 5. The disposable handtowel of claim 1 wherein said scent is selected from one associated witha pleasant food smell.
 6. The disposable hand towel of claim 1 wherein aplurality of adjacent cloth-like elements includes a school logo oremblem.
 7. The disposable hand towel of claim 1 wherein a plurality ofadjacent cloth-like elements includes a logo or emblem from aprofessional sports team.
 8. The disposable hand towel of claim 1wherein said central roll further includes a motion detector sound chip.9. The disposable hand towel of claim 1, which includes graphics, smellsand/or sounds consistent with a holiday theme.
 10. A disposable handtowel that can be customized for multiple sensory stimulation, said handtowel comprising: a short fabric, cloth-like element for individual handdrying, said cloth-like element having at least two distinct colorcomponents, a first main component for a substantial body of thecloth-like element and a second accent component for covering onlyportions of the cloth-like element, each element further including aplurality of raised regions and recesses for providing each element witha three-dimensional feel in a pre-set pattern; and a plurality of saidcloth-like elements being adjoined end to end on an elongated sheet;said elongated sheet being wound onto a central roll and then repeatedlyonto itself about said central roll; said central roll including atleast one of: a scent-dispensing element for emitting a scent analogousto at least one of the color components and a sound-dispensing chip. 11.The disposable hand towel of claim 10 wherein said scent is selectedfrom one associated with a smell found in nature.
 12. The disposablehand towel of claim 11 wherein said nature smell is from a fruit orflower.
 13. The disposable hand towel of claim 10 wherein said scent isone pleasantly affiliated with a food product.
 14. The disposable handtowel of claim 10 wherein a plurality of adjacent cloth-like elementsincludes a school logo or emblem.
 15. The disposable hand towel of claim10 wherein a plurality of adjacent cloth-like elements includes a logoor emblem from a professional sports team.
 16. The disposable hand towelof claim 10, which includes graphics, smells and/or sounds consistentwith a holiday theme.
 17. A method for dispensing disposable hand towelshaving multiple sensory stimulation, said method comprising: providing aplurality of short fabric, cloth-like elements for individual handdrying, each cloth-like element having at least two distinct colorcomponents, a first main component for a substantial body of thecloth-like element and a second accent component for covering onlyportions of the cloth-like element, each element further including aplurality of raised regions and recesses for providing each element witha three-dimensional feel in a pre-set pattern, said cloth-like elementsbeing adjoined end to end on an elongated continuous sheet; providing acentral roll about which the elongated sheet of cloth-like elements arewrapped, said roll including at least one of: a scent dispensing elementinserted into one roll end for emitting a scent analogous to one of thetwo distinct color components and a motion detector sound chip; andproviding a stand onto which the central roll can be positioned forusers to dispense one or more sheets of cloth-like elements by manualrotation of the central roll about the stand.
 18. The dispensing methodof claim 17 wherein said scent is selected from one associated with asmell found in nature.
 19. The dispensing method of claim 17 wherein aplurality of adjacent cloth-like elements includes a school logo oremblem.
 20. The dispensing method of claim 17 wherein a plurality ofadjacent cloth-like elements includes a logo or emblem from aprofessional sports team.